What Plasticizers Do & How They Affect Properties | Osborne
Plasticizers act like a lubricant among polymer chains to reduce rigidity. Without them, synthetic polymer materials would be too brittle and rigid for any practical purpose. For example, plasticizers give rubber its extensibility. Approximately 90% of all plasticizers are used in polyvinyl chloride, or PVC.
Plasticizer
It was commonly thought that plasticizers work by embedding themselves between the chains of polymers, spacing them apart (increasing the "free volume"), [3] [4] or swelling them and thus significantly lowering the glass transition temperature for the plastic and making it softer.
Plasticizers – Benefits, Trends, Health, and Environmental
Plasticizers soften the PVC to make it flexible and bendable. This opens up a huge range of possibilities for new applications. One of the main benefits of plasticizers is the durability they confer onto PVC applications, which can ensure high performances for up to 50 years.
What Are Plasticizers? | Plasticizers in Plastic Manufacturing
Plasticizers work in a similar way, and without them, the material would be hard, rigid, and more difficult to shape. Four Families of Plasticizers. Over 30,000 substances have been tested for use as a polymer plasticizer, though today, only about 50 are available for use. Of these, they are divided into four families:
Plasticizers: Types, Uses, Classification, Selection & Regulation
It is almost colorless and odorless oily liquid. It is very slightly soluble in water but soluble in alcohols, hexane etc. while miscible and compatible with all the monomeric plasticizers used in PVC compounding. Melting point: 43°C (45°F; 230 K) Boiling point: 244-252°C at 0.7 kPa.
- What are plasticizers & how do they work?
- Plasticizers are non-volatile organic substances (mainly liquids) added into a plastic or elastomer. They are also usually cheaper than other additives. They improve the following properties of the polymers: Plasticizers increase the flow and thermoplasticity of a polymer.
- How are plasticizers released into the environment?
- The release of plasticizers into the environment can occur during various stages. These include manufacture, distribution, fabrication, product use, and disposal. Most releases occur during the process of incorporating plasticizers into the PVC polymer. 4
- Why are plasticizers used in electrical insulating materials?
- In specific applications, plasticizers can influence the dielectric properties of polymers. This makes them suitable for use in electrical insulating materials. Plasticizers can enhance compatibility between polymers and various additives or fillers. This results in more homogeneous and stable formulations.
- How do plasticizers affect a polymer?
- Well-chosen plasticizers can also improve resistance to UV exposure and chemical attack. This contributes to the long-term stability of the polymer. In specific applications, plasticizers can influence the dielectric properties of polymers.
- How to make a plastic product more flexible by adding plasticizers?
- The process of making the final plastic product more flexible by adding plasticizers is called plasticization. By adding the right type and amount of plasticizer, you can tweak the polymer properties to get exactly what you need.
- Why are plasticizers important?
- Plasticizers prevent the development of microcracks in the polymer matrix. They thereby enhance material durability and resistance to mechanical stress. Well-chosen plasticizers can also improve resistance to UV exposure and chemical attack. This contributes to the long-term stability of the polymer.
